NAME: Cokedale
COUNTY:SkagitROADS:2WDGRID:6CLIMATE: Cool
winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS:Semi-ghost.REMAINS: Many original buildings.

As the name might suggest, Cokedale
was a coal-mining town. Prospectors found a coal seam in 1878 but developing
the property did not begin until 1891. By 1892, four coke ovens were at
work; by 1895, thirty operated and ten more followed in 1896. However, the
Cokedale mines were dangerous to work. The walls were poor, and some miners
said the walls tended to press together after the coal was removed. The
original high hope that the Cokedale mines would rival those of eastern
mines was not to be. The deformation of the coal was so pronounced that
miners could only take out small pieces at a time. Operations continued
until 1921, then the mine ceased operations forever. What is left of the
mining camp is now on private property. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.